The whirlwind that is NHL preseason hockey is quickly drawing to a close. Barely over a week ago, we were anticipating action on the ice to evaluation players and combinations. Now here we sit with only one more preseason tune up to go before he beginning of a week of practices to fine tune everything for the season opener on October 10.
Arguably, the biggest Hurricanes story of training camp has been the emergence of Martin Necas who is pushing for a roster spot. Today’s Coffee Shop polls and questions give Martin Necas his due and also delve into the other roster situations that must be decided before the puck drops for the start of the 2017-18 Carolina Hurricanes season.
Carolina Hurricanes poll questions
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) Martin Necas…Go! What most impresses you about his skill set at the age of only 18? In a league and in a position that is very much a young man’s game, is there a chance that Martin Necas just keeps rising from here somewhat in Sebastian Aho fashion and is key component of the team’s 2017-18 success? Etc.
2) Do you see any other roster surprises emerging in the closing days of training camp?
3) Which Hurricanes players have stood out as most ready to launch into the regular season with a head of steam?
4) Welcome new patrons to the Coffee Shop! If you are new, please be sure to provide a brief introduction.
Go Canes!
You know, while I believe Kneecaps is going back to Europe, it would not shock me in the slightest if he stuck and shined. The kid is lightning with the puck and has a great playmaking skill set that is going to bedazzle Canes fans for years in the future, but for now, he just needs to grow (literally) and learn. His future is extremely bright. Screw you, Joe Sakic, we didn’t need Matt Duchene anyway.
2. I do believe Haydn Fleury might see AHL time this year, solely to protect Carrick from waivers. I don’t personally have a problem with exposing Dahlbeck, but he’s a good #7.
3. I think Taco Targaryen is set up for a breakout year this year. He’s a potent weapon on the power play, and Justin Williams and he have seemingly developed some nice chemistry. Surprise, surprise.
We’re going to build a statue of Ron Francis one day.
1. He is so fast! I watched some of last night’s game and it seemed like every time he was on the ice I was blown away at how fast he gets moving after his second or third stride. He skates himself out of position occasionally but hopefully as his game matures he learns when to use those explosive strides and when to use a little more self control. His passing is elite, he made a slap pass directly onto Ryan’s tape through traffic into the slot and Ryan couldn’t even get a shot off because he wasn’t expecting it. Reminded me a bit of good Semin when he would make passes the opposing team weren’t prepared for due to sheer degree of difficulty. If Necas can’t stick at the NHL level I want to see him in Charlotte. I believe his contract slides as Nylander for Buf and Rantanen for COL took that route last year.
2. I think Kuokannan has a shot at taking the spot from Necas.
3. TT has looked good. I think Ryan looked kinda bad last night from what I saw.
4. Welcome everyone. Hope to see even more readers share their thoughts this season.
1. Necas is such a good skater and the kid has some serious speed! He carries the puck well and seems to have good vision and natural playmaking skills. I think that he is capable of staying at the NHL-level and most likely improving but don’t think that is the best option for him or the organization. We no longer have a depth issue and don’t need to force it. His potential at center is huge, let him go back to Europe, put on some size and develop more and return in a year or two as a true center. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stick around for 9 or fewer games, especially if Stempniak is still out, but he should go after that.
2. I have been really impressed with both Kuokkanen and Wallmark. I would love to see the nod go to Kuokkanen to let Necas develop some more as stated above. I think Carrick will be sticking around at #7; he’s looking good and with his potential upside we can’t risk him on waivers.
3. TT is looking good. Ryan was lighting it up prior to last night, hopefully that was a fluke. Been impressed with Hanifin’s poise with the puck, he absolutely looks ready to step into that #4 slot and push us into elite defense territory.
4. Long-time lurker, first time poster here. I’ve been a casual Canes fan since 2006 when I moved to NC. Never followed hockey before that and it was a good year to become a fan! Started really following the team towards the end of last season and really excited by what I’ve seen in the offseason! Thanks for the welcome!
Welcome Virtus! I hope you become a regular in the Coffee Shop.
Completely agree with your and also everyone else’s rave reviews on Martin Necas. I think he is exactly the playmaking center that the team needs, just not likely in 2017-18.
Feel exactly the same way on all points. And welcome to the party.
1. Everyone mentions Necas’s speed and his puck-handling, and that is very true. I like him. I like his passion, energy, and drive. I have been rooting for him. But I don’t see him being another Aho this season. Aho was much more accomplished at this stage last season, with a playing history that included both elite playmaking and scoring. Necas has had his chance, but he hasn’t demonstrated a scoring touch at this level (whether assists or goals) and he was not effective in his experiment on the wing. I really think that the start of this season is too important to risk it on a tryout, however talented as he is.
He showed last night he is a something of a liability on the wing (not a hit – he has always played center). But to start him as a center would mean a shuffling of the lines that would only have to be reshuffled into the season.
I am hoping that he plays Friday as a center with NHLers on his. If he move the puck quickly and distribute it well, it might be a boon for Skinner (or Aho) – this would be his last (and best) opportunity to show he can be an effective contributor this season.
2. I thought Kuokkanen has been outstanding – if only he was a RW, he would be a natural to slot in for Stempniak. He is ready to play.
The other player who has surprised me is Carrick. I had long ago written him off as a career AHLer. But he came into camp hungry and played very well. I still think Fleury is the go-to for the 6th D, however.
3. Teuvo has looked really good, but it is hard to evaluate on only a couple of games. His hallmark last season was his game-to-game consistency – he could be very good, or barely visible and somewhat error-prone (he ended up in Peters’ doghouse a couple of times).
Staal has looked excellent this preseason – I would like to think he may be headed for his best season as a Cane.
And as lines go, TT-Staal-Williams was extremely good.
4. Welcome to all the new contributors. This is by far and away the best Canes fan site.
Raleightj : I could not disagree more obviously you were watching a different game than me. Necas was the best player on the ice and that kept coming out of the mouth of the Edmonton announcers. He set up several great scoring chances, not his fault no one could finish.one play he threw a blind pass across the ice to a wide open Ryan who could not even get off a shot.Do you forget a year ago it took over a month into the season last year before Ago found the back of the net now look at him.This kid is a special talent and I don’t think a year playing against lesser talent will help him. So I am rooting hard for this 18year old to get a shot.
I would let Necas center the 3rd line in the last preseason game with Skinner on one wing and either Kuokkanen/Ryan on the other wing. For all the hype Ryan is getting during preseason, a couple good games does not mean he has higher skill. Necas has a unique skillset and we should see what he has by playing his ‘natural’ position with true NHL wingers. Let’s experiment with Ryan on wing for a game or two, while getting an extended look at Necas and Kuokkanen into the regular season.
First. Welcome Virtus. Excellent points.
tj you are exactly right about Staal. He and Kruger were most of the reason that McDavid and Draisaitl were stymied Monday but killed us last night. Well along with our top 4 D who are going to stymie lots of teams. I think Staal will get 20+ goals and an overdue Selke this year.
TT should also break out. A commenter over at Canes Country mentioned TT’s success at WJC20. His name is on lists with Malkin, Bure, Sedin. He may never hit that level, but 60 points should be his production most years moving forward. He may even be center option at some point. He filled in when Staal was injured last season and looked great.
Among all the impressive goals this preseason ( Carrick’s, Gauthier’s,etc.) the one that has me most excited was Kuokkanen’s PP goal Monday. Because the pass from Williams was simple yet perfect. He has obviously practiced it thousands of times. We are likely to see it many more. It is the play Lindholm starting making last year behind the net that Matt loves. I have said the analytics community lists JW as one of the best in the league at creating danger chances. That is a great sign for the year ahead.
Even after last night there is much to like. Any of Necas, Wallmark, or Kuokkanen can fill in for Stempniak. Necas brings the speed, Kuokkanen some scoring upside, and Wallmark brings D and taking draws. In my mind it is a winning choice for BP.
1. Necas should be sent to Charlotte. He will be sent to Europe. The kid can skate and handle the puck extremely well. He is adverse to SHOOTING the puck and passes up his own scoring opportunities to pass the puck to someone else. He’s not ready for the NHL. Koukkenen and Wallmark have played better all around.
2. Not many surprises. Wallmark and Koukkonen IMO have shown the most as far as rookies go. IMO both have been better than McGinn, DiGuiseppe, Necas, Roy, Jooris and Nordstrom. In fact having watched last night’s game I don’t see McGinn or DiGuiseppe making this team’s opening day roster. Neither did much in the game and neither has shown over the past season and this camp ANY ability to ignite any offense. Wallmark, Koukkenen and Jooris rank ahead of both IMO.
3. Ryan, Williams, Staal, Teravainen, Koukkenen and possibly Wallmark appear to me to ready to take off as the season starts based upon training camp. Skinner hasn’t shown much in camp, but probably will be his usual scoring threat. Rask has had good scoring opportunities in camp, but just can’t seem to beat the goalies.
My overall assessment is BP will keep those forwards who can play an all-around game (are excellent defensively) and who he believes can also score if he has such a choice. For this reason I therefore think Necas won’t make the opening day roster. I realize the kid is a great talent, but getting enamored with and only considering his skating and puckhandling is forgetting he has not developed the ability to score goals. This talent still needs to be developed. If we are awarding forward spots on the roster to newcomers Koukkenen and Wallmark have earned a spot on the team using my version of BP’s criteria.
As far as defensemen go, to expose Carrick to waivers is to lose him for nothing. IMO he will be kept on the roster and then traded for a draft pick. Dahlback will be exposed to waivers and unclaimed (I hope) and ultimately will be our 7th defenseman. Fleury takes the 6th defense slot. Bean has shown he is not ready for the NHL yet.
I believe Darling will be our number 1 goalie backed up by Ward (WOW, really went out on a limb here didn’t I.)
I believe our best trade bait is Rask and a young defenseman for another scoring forward. We have an abundance of centers and defensemen.
RedRyder, I think you’re right that McGinn and PDG did not earn their spots but for the fact that neither would clear waivers. For PDG, that would be unfortunate but not the end of the world. I think we would come to regret losing McGinn: even though he may not having the same scoring upside, he plays with grit and is defensively reliable, traits BP likes. So I think he stays.
Rask is on a good contract and, though I did propose some similar trade during the offseason, I’m starting to believe that the bird-in-hand is worth keeping, especially now that I’m feeling more comfortable that this roster (including our prospects in CLT) has enough offense to win.
Carrick is another interesting case: I didn’t see him competing for a spot in Raleigh either; I still can’t decide whether he’s really taken another step and belongs or is simply playing above his pay-grade. I still believe his ceiling is at most a 5/6 D-man.
Smith, Chelios, and Carrick on waivers for that bus ride to the Queen City.
Not too happy about Carrick. I didn’t see us going into the season with 8 D but he’s been playing really well and I think he has more upside than Dahlbeck. Here’s to hoping he clears…
This just in…
Roy, Zkyov, and Saarela returned to Charlotte.
Chelios, Carrick, and Smith put on waivers prior to assignment.
I think the only “controversial” one is Carrick given how well he played in TC and preseason games. But there are a lot of players of his caliber being sent down from other teams so I don’t think he is at risk. Zykov was solid but not great. Saarela never really showed much – hopefully he catches fire in Charlotte like he did when he joined there late last season. Chelios and Smith were always slated for the trip to Charlotte.
I think BP might be planning to play Grinch to the rest of the league. Here is the terrible awful idea.
Heard Teravainen has minor injury, not likely to play Friday. So Kuokkanen starts with Staal and Williams. They had chemistry Monday both on PP and 5 on 5 in third period. If that works, then Kuokannen is on that line opening night. TT and Aho are reunited on third line with Ryan. Second is the line that statistics indicate was optimal for both Rask and Lindholm–Skinner/Rask/Lindholm.
Canes are matchup nightmare with serious scoring on all three. Staal and Williams are strong enough in case Kuokkanen has struggles.
At this point that is my What I am Watching for tomorrow
Those line combos with a 4th of Kruger/Nordstrom/ FILL IN THE______ would seem tough to beat. If Skinner can’t get Rask out of a funk, I’m not sure we have anyone on the team that could. Aho, for as good as he is, couldn’t help Rask so far. You could, of course, always cook up a whole Finn line, too, with Aho playing center. Fun times with interesting forward pieces.
Necas is clearly an impressive skater and will be in the NHL…at some point… WHEN? I think next year! Both Wallmark and Kuokkanen seem to have a leg up on him with their overall skills.
I tend to agree about PDG and McGinn not making the team, but the best don’t always get a spot (IMO)…Soooo I could see some surprises, or disappointments…ie..Ward still here!
RF had to finally admit our Goalie situation was inadequate…
At some point he WILL HAVE TO FINISH THE JOB, and replace Ward.
1. Necas speed, vision, and stick skills are impressive, he will be very good one day. Keeping him on the roster for regular season, though, would not be good for his development in my opinion. Draisaitl showed the league how to effectively neutralize him, crushing him on the boards. He would take a beating in every game, and his body isn’t physically ready for it. Let him develop for a year, and most importantly get much stronger physically, then bring him in.
Also, the chemistry with Skinner/Ryan didn’t look good, but brent24 makes a good point. Professionals should be able to develop that chemistry over a period of weeks and there is no reason to think that wouldn’t happen.
2. Hah! Within 5 seconds of hitting “vote” that Dahlbeck would be exposed to waivers and Carrick kept on the roster, I received the alert that Carrick was exposed. Kuokkanen and Wallmark are the two bubble players that have distinguished themselves, although it is a small sample size for Kuokkanen. Hope to get more data points tonight. Fleury seems like a given, particularly with his locker placement and overall organizational position.
3. Doc looked very good until an uninspiring performance Wed night. The entire Turbo-Staahl-Williams line looks really solid. I agree with Matt that Hanifin looks a lot more comfortable with the puck on his stick, and hope that carries over into the season. And finally, in the wishful thinking category, I hope after tonight I say Darling is ready to pick up where he left off last season.